Thread: World Cup 2014

Originally Posted by Cangooner

Belgium have a ridiculous number of potentially world-class young players right now. I have no idea what they are doing right of if it's just a fluke, but if they can avoid their past tendency to develop factions, they could be a real force for years to come. I hope they do as it would be refreshing to see a smaller country challenge the big boys.

How's this for timing? Thank you Guardian...



Belgium's blueprint that gave birth to a golden generation | Stuart James | Football | The Guardian

I'm thinking Belguim is a dark horse here.

I think Portugal will choke.

I liked the way the US looked against Nigeria. Fit. Ready. Group of death is a rough group.

Argentina should sail through.... hmmm... what else...

Originally Posted by Cangooner

Don't count out Uruguay. They can beat anyone on the day, as they say, and in the bitey racist Suarez (although to be fair I don't think he has been involved in either a biting or a racist incident for a whole year) they have an insanely in-form striker. I'm just not sure he's 100% healthy.

Suarez has certainly changed my opinion of him this year. He's gotten much better with leaving out the nonsense. My daughter still calls him the flopper and I do still see this, however, not so much this year.

As for my predictions - bearing in mind that for all my obsession with the game, I am *horrible* at predicting anything - here we go:

IMHO, England don't have a snowball's chance in Hades. As is normal, the English press have gone completely over the top over a mediocre squad, building up massive expectation that is, as is traditional, built on an equally massive sense of entitlement that has been looming over them since 1966. They also tend to suffer when playing in heat and humidity and at altitude. They will be playing at altitude in humid heat.

Agreed. They are always terrible and they know it.

Brazil and Argentina are both very strong, but that's stating the obvious. I'd watch out for Messi - he will be wanting to make up for a mediocre (by his incredibly high standards) season.
Yes. See the same here.

Germany would be my pick from the European sides. The Dutch can be great, but there's always the chance they will implode, and much the same could be said for Belgium. I do hope the Dutch will return to playing like the Dutch after the debacle of the last final. France seem to be getting their act together which is a little disappointing considering that we're unlikely to be treated to the same kind of hugely entertaining bust-up they treated us to in South Africa. I quite like France and they way they play, but that really was funny as hell.
I dislike the French surrender monkeys with a passion.
Spain... do they have a plan B? Other countries have slowly been figuring out how to counter their possession/pressure tactics over the last few years, so if they aren't tactically flexible, I think Spanish fans might be disappointed. But if they are able to adjust their play, they could well repeat as champions.

With apologies to any fans of Portugal out there, in recent years they have proven to be the absolute worst in terms of diving cheaters. And in Ronaldo they have the unique combination of one of the best players in the world who also happens to be one of the most egregious offenders in the diving/cheating stakes. Drives me bonkers. Anyway, I don't know how they will do, but I hope it's not well.
Yep. Renaldo is despised here. Lol to the Ghanese(?) witch doctor
Italy - who knows? I haven't watched much Italian footie recently so I'm kind of in the dark there...

My outside picks:

As mentioned above: Uruguay
And my bet to make the semis: Ghana

see Inline Bold

Two sons played very competitive soccer, which hadn't yet been invented when I was of sporting age .. so I have seen my share of soccer games, including two state hs finals .. but

Will they have those estupido horns going all the time? If so, no watch, it isn't exactly thrilling and with the constant buzzing pretty unpleasant to hear. I'll catch the news in the paper

A schedule for US viewers(though there are app links and website links for streaming which should be international):

Full 2014 FIFA World Cup game schedule on ABC, ESPN, Univision, Canadian TV and radio

The VuVuZela was an "interesting" feature in South Africa. There were times when it was overbearing... Not enough for me to turn of the matches, though.

Oh no. I just realized that we're going to have that blathering idiot John Helm inflicted on us again. He is kind of like the Braveheart of football commentators in that whatever he says or presents is generally unfounded, willfully ignorant, occasionally racist, or just plain wrong. Please, if you are new to the sport and are trying to understand the game, do not listen to a thing the guy says. He will steer you wrong.

Ugh.

But on the bright side, the vuvuzela is very much a South African thing and I'm sure the Brazilian crowds will remind us of the truly wonderful aspects of football support. At least the ones who aren't rioting. If you have never been to a major match (whether a big domestic league match or an international) trust me - it can be an amazing experience.

On a slightly related note, the vuvuzelas often didn't bother me that much because I had turned the sound off to avoid hearing the aforementioned blathering idiot. I will not however miss them either!

EDIT: just realized my Unitedstatesian neighbours will have Tommy Smyth on ESPN radio. Does he still excitedly shout about picking the ball out of the old onion bag whenever there's a goal? I had no idea he was still working!

Originally Posted by Cangooner

Oh no. I just realized that we're going to have that blathering idiot John Helm inflicted on us again. He is kind of like the Braveheart of football commentators in that whatever he says or presents is generally unfounded, willfully ignorant, occasionally racist, or just plain wrong. Please, if you are new to the sport and are trying to understand the game, do not listen to a thing the guy says. He will steer you wrong.

Ugh.

But on the bright side, the vuvuzela is very much a South African thing and I'm sure the Brazilian crowds will remind us of the truly wonderful aspects of football support. At least the ones who aren't rioting. If you have never been to a major match (whether a big domestic league match or an international) trust me - it can be an amazing experience.

On a slightly related note, the vuvuzelas often didn't bother me that much because I had turned the sound off to avoid hearing the aforementioned blathering idiot. I will not however miss them either!

EDIT: just realized my Unitedstatesian neighbours will have Tommy Smyth on ESPN radio. Does he still excitedly shout about picking the ball out of the old onion bag whenever there's a goal? I had no idea he was still working!

To the edit: Yes. I'd laugh uncontrollably if I heard the snores of a season citizen asleep at the broadcasting desk.

John Helm: pffft... I turned the sound off on the tv and the radio on during a few matches while watching them. Not due to the vuvuzelas, but the moron that is John Helm.

Looking forward to some wonderful football.

I am looking forward to this World Cup as I always do. I love watching the, "Beautiful Game", and the skill of the players. My expectations of the United States team is that they do their best and not embarrass us too bad. Sigh.

I do not like Jose Altidore. I have always believed that his work ethic sucks. My son disagrees.

Although Donovan may not be 100% ninety minute game healthy, I believe he should have made the team cut. I think he deserved that. He would have given his 120% whereas Jose would have just whined that his team mates didn't feed him the ball instead of making his own opportunities. Did you get that I don't like Jose Altidore? LOL.

As far as the finals? My pick is Argentina vs Germany.

I too hate the floppers and divers! They even practice how to do it properly. Disgusting!

The show starts today and I have to work, that sucks. The light at the end of the tunnel is I'm off next week .